Getting into UT of Austin with low SAT scores, who's done it and what's your story?

Colleges and Universities A-Z The University of Texas at Austin
1

I’m going into my senior year and it’s time to start applying and writing my essays. My dream school is UT of Austin and I want to know if i have a chance and hear other people’s stories regarding getting accepted with slim chances.

Here’s a little about me:
GPA: 3.6 uw
Class rank: 54/ 796 (barely in the top 7%)
First SAT score: 1080/1600
Reading and writing: 580
Math: 500
Essay: 21/24
2 years of band
2 years of color guard (varsity) (the second year is going to be my senior year)
National Honor society member
Student council member
Take honors/ AP classes but AP test scores are average.
Plan on being involved more my senior year with clubs and volunteer work.

I’m retaking the SAT in August to at least improve my math score. After that, I have two more free SATs and two free ACTs which I plan to take advantage of.

2

If you are within the top 7% of your high school class as a Texas resident, and fulfill other specified application requirements, you are automatically admitted to the UT Austin campus, though not necessarily to your desired major if it is a competitive major.

https://admissions.utexas.edu/apply/decisions
http://tea.texas.gov/About_TEA/News_and_Multimedia/Correspondence/TAA_Letters/University_of_Texas_at_Austin_Automatic_Admission_Policy/

Otherwise, you should treat UT Austin as a reach, because only about a quarter of the space is available for non-automatic admission applicants.